Andre Chiefs

Medford, MA- Arlington right-hander Mike Griffin went 6.2 innings to get the win as the Trojans held on to beat the Chiefs 5-4 at Tufts University on Thursday night. It was the third straight time this season that the Trojans have beaten the Chiefs.

The Trojans jumped out to a quick 2-0 first inning lead against Chiefs veteran starter Keith Forbes. Former Harvard and Can-Am League standout Morgan Brown got things underway when he drew a leadoff walk. Forbes struck out Danny Binz for the first out but Pete Creamer and Don Walter hit back to back doubles giving the Trojans the two run lead.

It stayed a 2-0 game until the top of the fourth inning as Griffin wiggled out of trouble in the first (Vinny Pennell single), the second (Mike Andre double, Mike Barbati infield single, Rick Vail inning ending doubleplay), and the third (Tony Deshler two out triple).

The Arlington fourth inning started quietly enough as Forbes struck out Walter swinging leading off the inning. Trouble began to brew when Sam Perkins singled to right. Nick Napoli followed and delivered a two run shot over the 367’ sign in left-center, doubling the Trojans lead to 4-0. Arlington wasn’t done yet as Kevin Hart then singled and went to second when Forbes’ pickoff attempt went astray. Hart moved to third when Eddie McDonald beat out an infield chopper to second base and scored what proved to be the game winner when Forbes uncorked a wild pitch making it 5-0.

Tim Dunphy, in relief of Forbes, held the Trojans scoreless in the top of the fifth and the Chiefs chipped two runs off the lead in the bottom of the inning. Nick Leva walked and went to third on a Deshler one out double to right-center. Griffin returned the wild pitch favor, throwing one of his own, allowing Leva to score the Chiefs first run and sending Deshler to third. A Pennell RBI infield grounder plated Deshler as the Chiefs closed the gap to 5-2 before Justin Crisafulli singled and Andre flew to center to end the inning.

Dunphy was sharp again in the sixth, retiring the Trojans in order.

The Chiefs let yet another scoring opportunity pass in the bottom of the inning when Mike DiCato led off with a bloop single to right center and stole second. That was as far as he got as Griffin retired Barbati on a flyout, Boleski on a popup and Leva on a groundout.

Dunphy retired the left-handed hitting Wilson to start the seventh before giving way to Tufts right-hander Jake Crawford.

The Chiefs made some two out noise in the bottom of the seventh. Griffin got Jesse Bruinsma on a groundout to Binz at second base and Deshler on a liner to Wilson in center for the first two outs. When Pennell (pictured left) drew a walk, Arlington Manager Joe Hart summoned Chris DiCecca out of the Trojan's bullpen. Crisafulli greeted him with a two run bomb, the 89th of his Chiefs career, to straight-away left field to make it a one run game. DiCecca ended the evening and the Chiefs comeback hopes when he got Andre to groundout unassisted to Hart at first base. 

The Chiefs out hit the Trojans 9-7. Forbes (1-1, 2.80 ERA) suffered his first loss of the year while surrendering five runs (four earned), six hits and struck out five in his four innings of work. He uncharacteristically hurt his own cause with two errant pickoff attempts and a wild pitch. Dunphy was once again solid out of the bullpen, working 2.1 scoreless innings and allowing one hit.

The Chiefs are off on Friday before a busy weekend awaits them. On Saturday, they host the Mooney Dental Tanners in an afternoon doubleheader at Tufts University with the first game scheduled for 1:30 PM. 

On Sunday, the Chiefs homestand continues when the Watertown Reds visit Tufts for a single game at 1:30 PM